In France the potato is outlawed for fear that it causes leprosy, syphilis, and rampant sexualit

1620-1750

{Here, unfortunately, there is a small, inexplicable gap in the research.}

1755

Samuel Johnson includes the word “tater” in his dictionary.

1778

In a war between Prussians and Hapsburgs neither side is able to win on the battlefield, so both try to starve out the other by stealing and eating their enemies’ stockpile of potatoes.

1823

The Belgians invent French fries.

1845

Potato crop failure in Ireland, one million people starve to death. The Irish become famous.

1853

Out of spite for an insolent customer, half Native American, half African American chef George Crum invents the potato chip. His creation becomes exceptionally popular, but he forgets to patent it.

1871

The Idaho Potato is invented in Massachusetts.

1899

During the Alaskan Klondike gold rush, miners discover that potatoes are high in vitamin C and are thus worth their weight in gold. A pound of potatoes is traded for a pound of gold.

1926

Ms. Laura Scudder invents the paper bag in which to put potato chips.

1945

Unwilling to take the abuse any longer, Anne Frank writes of her odium of potatoes.

1955

The first baked potato to be microwaved is microwaved by the Raytheon Corporation.

1968

The Canadians invent instant potato spuds.

1972

The International Potato Center (CIP) is established in Lima, Peru, with the mission to help developing nations increase potato production and consumption.

1989

A small group of academics try to reclaim the potato for itself and begin calling it the “super tuber,” but this never really catches on.

1994

Potato consumption is on the rise in most parts of the world. China leads all nations by producing 40,039,000 metric tons, followed by Russia (33,780,000), Poland (23,058,000), the United States (20,835,000), Ukraine (16,102,000), and India (15,000,000). Average annual per capita consumption is reported to be highest in certain highland regions of Rwanda (153 kg).

2000

Americans eat 19% of their meals in automobiles, and each automobile weighs, on average, 2600 lbs.

2006

Although the potato becomes a prime candidate for farming in outer space, the results of a nationwide poll suggest that most people believe the potato is too modest to accept.